JP4959281B2 - Giveaway machine - Google Patents

Description

  The present invention relates to a prize dispenser that dispenses prizes stored therein, and in particular, the number of prizes stored can be increased without becoming too large in the width direction, and the stability of each mechanism is improved. In addition, the present invention relates to a prize dispenser that can reduce costs.

  For example, in a gaming facility such as a pachinko store, a prize dispenser is provided for paying out a prize to the player in accordance with the number of game media such as pachinko balls acquired by the player. As such a prize dispenser, those shown in Patent Documents 1 and 2 are known.

  In the prize dispenser disclosed in Patent Document 1, eight payout units are arranged in one row. Each payout unit is composed of one cassette for storing a plurality of prizes in a stacked state. When a prize having a thickness of 3 mm is stored in this cassette, the number of prizes stored in each cassette is, for example, 100 sheets. For this reason, the number of prizes stored in the entire prize dispenser is, for example, 800.

  In the prize dispenser disclosed in Patent Document 2, a plurality of cassettes for storing a plurality of prizes in a stacked state are provided in series in the front-rear direction per lane, and a prize take-out means is selected from the plurality of cassettes in each lane. The prize in the lowermost layer is taken out from the one cassette and transported to the prize payout exit. In this prize dispenser, the selected cassette and the prize take-out means are relatively moved between a position where the prize take-out means is close to and a position where the prize take-out means is not close to the lowest prize stored in the cassette. It is supposed to let you. Specifically, when paying out the prize in the cassette to the player, the cassette storing the prize to be paid out is selectively lowered so that the prize stored in the cassette and the prize take-out means are close to each other. As a state, the prize in the cassette is fed out by the prize taking-out means.

Japanese Patent No. 2722396 Japanese Patent Laying-Open No. 2005-21686

  However, there are various problems with conventionally known prize dispensers. For example, in a prize dispenser in which a plurality of lanes (for example, 8 lanes) are arranged in one row as shown in Patent Document 1, the number of prizes stored is increased. In this case, there is a problem in that the payout unit has to be increased in the width direction, and the prize dispenser becomes too large in the width direction, and the prize dispenser itself cannot be made compact. In addition, when a prize dispenser having such a large width is used, there is a problem in that it is troublesome for a player to receive a prize thrown out.

  Further, according to the prize dispenser as shown in Patent Document 2, the prize dispenser can be made relatively small in width by arranging a plurality of cassettes in series per lane. However, when switching the cassette from which a prize is to be taken out in each lane, it is necessary to move the cassette and the prize taking-out means in the vertical direction, which causes a problem of time loss. Specifically, for example, when switching from a state in which a prize is fed out from a cassette on the front side in a certain lane to a state in which it is fed out from a cassette on the rear side that stores other types of prizes, After the prize payout operation is completed, it is necessary to temporarily stop the prize take-out means, raise the cassette on the front side and lower the cassette on the rear side, and then re-drive the prize take-out means, resulting in a large time loss. End up. In particular, when a large number of prizes are stored in a cassette, the weight of these prizes increases, making control when moving the cassette up and down difficult, especially when the prize dispenser has been used for many years. There is a problem that the accuracy of the vertical movement control of the cassette is deteriorated due to the aging fatigue of the mechanism.

  The present invention has been made in consideration of such points, and by providing a plurality of cassettes in each lane and installing a transport mechanism for each cassette, it is possible to obtain a prize without becoming too large in the width direction. The number of stored sheets can be increased, and the stability of each component can be improved and the cost can be reduced by enabling the giveaway to be paid out without moving both the cassette and the transport mechanism. It is to provide a gift dispenser that can be used.

The present invention is a storage unit in which a plurality of cassettes in which a plurality of prizes are stored in a stacked state and from which the lowest prize can be taken out are arranged in series in the front-rear direction. A storage unit having substantially the same height level, a gift temporary storage unit for temporarily storing a prize taken out from each cassette of the storage unit, and a storage unit provided below the storage unit. A prize transport unit comprising a transport mechanism for transporting a prize at the lowest level in each cassette of the unit to the premium temporary storage part, the transport mechanism from each prize take-out position directly below each cassette. A guide plate installed to extend to the temporary storage section, and a protrusion that protrudes upward to reach the lowest prize in each cassette An extruding member that is movable in the vertical direction and movable in the extending direction of the guide plate between the position and the retracted position that does not reach the lowermost prize. When the member is in the projecting position, an extrude that takes out the prize at the lowermost layer of one of the cassettes and conveys the taken prize to the temporary storage section while sliding on the guide plate. A prize transporting unit having a member, and the transport mechanism of the prize transporting unit is provided below the guide plate, near each prize take-out position directly below each cassette and in the prize temporary storage part. An endless circulation belt that circulates so as to pass through the vicinity, and an extrusion member that is disposed on the outer surface of the circulation belt and that is attached to the tip. A push-out member protrusion amount adjuster that changes a protrusion amount of the push-out member with respect to the projecting member, and the push-out member protrusion amount adjuster moves the push-out member forward and backward between the protrusion position and the retracted position. The extrusion member and the extrusion member protrusion amount adjuster are configured to circulate integrally by the circulation movement of the circulation belt, and the set of the extrusion member and the extrusion member protrusion amount adjustment. A prize dispenser characterized in that a prize can be taken out from a plurality of cassettes and conveyed by a container .

  According to such a prize dispenser, a prize transport having a plurality of cassettes arranged in series in the front-rear direction in the storage unit and having a transport mechanism for transporting the lowest prize in each cassette to the prize temporary storage section. By installing a section, the number of prizes stored can be reduced without the width of the prize dispenser becoming too large compared to a prize dispenser in which a plurality of lanes are arranged in a row so that the cassettes are continuous in the width direction. Can be increased. Moreover, since the prize can be taken out from the cassette only by moving the pushing member in the transport mechanism in the vertical direction, the prize can be paid out while switching the cassette without moving both the cassette and the transport mechanism. The stability of the component parts can be improved and the cost can be reduced.

  In the prize dispenser of the present invention, the conveyance mechanism of the prize conveyance unit passes under the guide plate and near the prize take-out position and the vicinity of the prize temporary storage part directly below each cassette. An endless circulation belt that circulates and an extrusion member protrusion amount adjustment that is disposed on the outer surface of the circulation belt and that has the extrusion member attached to the tip thereof to change the protrusion amount of the extrusion member with respect to the circulation belt It is preferable that the pushing member protrusion amount adjuster moves the pushing member forward and backward between the protruding position and the retracted position.

  In the prize dispenser as described above, the pushing member protrusion amount adjuster of the transport mechanism includes a hollow body attached to the outer surface of the circulation belt or a part of the body portion cut off, and a tip portion in a vertical direction. Alternatively, a solenoid that moves forward and backward in the horizontal direction, a guide member attached to the tip of the solenoid, and a part of the main body that is provided inside or cut away, is pressed against the guide member. It is preferable to have an advancing and retracting member that moves the pushing member in the vertical direction. Alternatively, the push-out member protrusion amount adjuster of the transport mechanism is configured such that a hollow body attached to the outer surface of the circulation belt or a part of the hollow body is cut off, and a tip portion moves forward and backward in a vertical direction or a horizontal direction. A solenoid, a guide member having a guide groove provided at a distal end portion of the solenoid, and a part of the guide member provided by the guide groove of the guide member provided in the inside of the main body portion or cut away; It is preferable to have an advance / retreat member that moves the member in the vertical direction.

  According to the prize dispenser of the present invention, the number of prizes stored can be increased without becoming too large in the width direction, and the stability of each component can be improved and the cost can be reduced.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 to FIG. 5 are diagrams showing an embodiment of a prize dispenser according to the present invention.
Among these, FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a prize dispenser in the present embodiment, and FIG. 2 is a perspective view showing an internal configuration of the prize dispenser shown in FIG. 1 when a main body door is opened. . 3 is a perspective view showing a state when the shutter mechanism is opened for the prize dispenser shown in FIG. 1, and FIG. 4 is a diagram showing the prize dispenser shown in FIG. FIG. FIG. 5 is an explanatory diagram showing the state of the prize dispenser shown in FIG. 1, the cassette accommodated in the casing, and the prize transport unit.

  First, the outline of the gift dispenser 1 in the present embodiment will be described with reference to FIGS. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the prize dispenser 1 includes a housing 10 and a main body door 12 that is provided at the top of the housing 10 and can be opened and closed. FIG. 1 shows a state of the prize dispenser 1 when the main body door 12 is closed, and FIG. 2 shows a state of the prize dispenser 1 when the main body door 12 is open. The main body door 12 is opened and closed when the cassettes 30a and 30b (described later) of the prize storage unit 30 are attached to and detached from the housing 10, and the main body door 12 has an open / close detection sensor (see FIG. (Not shown) is attached. The prize dispenser is installed on a prize exchange counter such as a pachinko parlor, and is used with an employee standing on one side and a player standing on the other side.

  On one side surface of the housing 10 (the right side surface in FIG. 5), an operation unit 14 for an employee to perform operations such as warehousing, aggregation, and setting, and information necessary for the employee including a monochrome LCD, Specifically, a store-side display unit 16 on which the number of prizes P to be paid out, error guidance, setting contents, and the like are displayed is provided. On the other hand, on the other side surface (the left side surface in FIG. 5) of the housing 10, for example, a color LCD is displayed and information necessary for the player, specifically, the number of payouts of the prize P, the amount, etc. are displayed. A customer-side display unit 18 is provided. In the present specification, the “front side” of the gift dispenser 1 refers to the customer side display unit 18 side (left side in FIG. 5), and the “rear side” refers to the store side display unit 16 side (FIG. 5). On the right side).

  Further, an openable / closable maintenance door 26 is provided on the front side (left side in FIG. 5) of the housing 10 in the prize dispenser 1. The maintenance door 26 is used by an employee to check the inside of the housing 10 when a jam of the prize P occurs in the housing 10. The prize dispenser 1 in FIG. 1 shows a state when the maintenance door 26 is closed, while the prize dispenser 1 in FIG. 4 shows that the maintenance door 26 is opened and the upper shutter portion 24a of the shutter mechanism 24 is downward. The state when moved is shown.

As shown in FIG. 5, a prize storage unit 30 is provided inside the housing 10 of the prize dispenser 1. The prize storage unit 30 is composed of a plurality of, for example, two cassettes 30a and 30b from which a plurality of prizes P can be stored in a stacked state and the lowest prize P can be taken out. In the prize storage unit 30, the cassettes 30a and 30b are arranged in series in the front-rear direction (left-right direction in FIG. 5), and the cassettes 30a and 30b are detachable from the housing 10. Yes. Here, these cassettes 30a and 30b are accommodated in the housing 10 so that the lowest level of the prizes P in the lower layers of the cassettes 30a and 30b are substantially the same.
As shown in FIG. 2, such a prize storage unit 30 is provided, for example, in seven lanes (seven rows) along the width direction of the prize dispenser 1 (direction perpendicular to the paper surface of FIG. 5) ( Therefore, a total of 14 cassettes are provided). Details of the configuration of the prize storage unit 30 will be described later.

  In the housing 10 of the prize dispenser 1, below the prize storage unit 30, the prize P stored in each cassette 30a, 30b of the prize storage unit 30 is stored in the prize temporary storage unit 28 (described later). A prize transport unit 40 for directly transporting each one is provided. Details of the configuration of the prize transport unit 40 will be described later.

  As shown in FIG. 5, the prize temporary storage unit 28 is a part in which the prize P sent from the prize storage unit 30 is temporarily reserved. The prize P temporarily held in the prize temporary holding section 28 can be accessed by the player from the outside. A shutter mechanism 24 is provided above the gift temporary storage unit 28 so as to cover the gift temporary storage unit 28. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, the shutter mechanism 24 includes an upper shutter portion 24a and a lower shutter portion 24b. The shutter mechanism 24 covers a prize temporary storage section 28 and prevents a prize P from being taken out from the prize temporary storage section 28 (see FIG. 1). It can be reciprocated between a delivery allowable position (see FIG. 3) that is retracted in the upper right direction) and allows the prize P to be taken out from the prize temporary storage unit 28. The shutter mechanism 24 is provided with an open / close detection sensor (not shown) for detecting the open / closed state of the shutter mechanism 24.

  Further, as shown in FIG. 5, inside the housing 10 of the prize dispenser 1, a command signal is given to each component of the prize dispenser 1 to control these components, specifically, the prize P A control unit 20 that controls the payout, display, communication, and the like, and a power supply unit 22 that supplies power to each component of the prize dispenser 1 are incorporated.

Next, details of each component of the prize dispenser 1 as described above will be described with reference to FIGS.
First, details of the configuration of the prize storage unit 30 and the prize transport unit 40 of the prize dispenser 1 will be described with reference to FIGS. 6 to 10. Here, FIG. 6 is a perspective view showing the configuration of each cassette 30a, 30b of the prize storage unit 30, and FIG. 7 is an explanatory diagram showing details of the configuration of the prize P stored in the prize dispenser 1. . FIG. 8 is an explanatory diagram showing an outline of the configuration of the prize transport unit 40, and FIG. 9 is an explanatory front view of the prize transport unit 40 shown in FIG. 8 viewed from the left (front of the apparatus). FIG. 10 is a top view for explanation when the prize transport unit 40 shown in FIG. 8 is viewed from above.

  As shown in FIG. 6, each cassette 30a, 30b of the prize storage unit 30 is formed of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped casing, and the prize P is stored in a stacked state in the casing. The prize P is formed of a plate as shown in FIG. 7, and a non-contact IC tag I is provided therein. The prize P stored in a stacked state in the casings of the cassettes 30a and 30b is applied with a force from above by, for example, a weight (not shown) and pressed downward.

  A handle 32 is attached to the upper surface of the casing of each cassette 30a, 30b, and an employee can carry the cassette 30a, 30b by holding the handle 32. Further, at the lower part of each cassette 30a, 30b, the side wall 30p is provided so as to extend below the front wall 30q, and a prize outlet 38 is constituted by a step portion between the side wall 30p and the front wall 30q. Further, as shown in FIG. 6, a pair of left and right bottom surface members 36 are formed on the lower inner edge of the side wall 30p so that the prizes P can be fed forward one by one from the prize delivery port 38 without dropping down. Has been. The front wall 30q is a lid that can be removed from the housing, and is removed when a prize is loaded or when a prize is collected.

  Further, an erroneous insertion preventing member 34 is provided on the front wall 30q of each cassette 30a, 30b. A plurality of through holes are formed in the erroneous insertion preventing member 34. Depending on the type of the prize P to be stored in each cassette 30a, 30b, some of the plurality of through holes are blocked. It is closed by a member (for example, a slide plate). On the other hand, in the case 10 of the gift dispenser 1, the portions where the cassettes 30a and 30b are to be stored correspond to the through holes of the erroneous insertion preventing members 34 of the cassettes 30a and 30b. A protrusion (not shown) that penetrates the hole is provided. The number of protrusions provided in the housing 10 is set according to the type of the prize P to be stored in each of the cassettes 30a and 30b. When 30a and 30b are accommodated in the housing 10, the protruding portion hits the closing member that closes the through hole, and the cassettes 30a and 30b cannot be normally accommodated in the housing 10. . As a result, the employee notices that cassettes 30a and 30b having different types of prizes P are stored in the housing 10 by mistake.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8 to 10, the prize transport unit 40 includes a transport mechanism 40 a provided below the prize storage unit 30. The transport mechanism 40a transports the prize P in the lowermost layer of both cassettes 30a and 30b to the prize temporary storage unit 28.

  As shown in FIGS. 5 and 8 to 10, the transport mechanism 40 a includes a guide plate 48 installed so as to extend in the horizontal direction from the prize take-out position directly below the rear cassette 30 b to the prize temporary storage unit 28. Under the guide plate 48, an endless circulation belt 42 that circulates so as to pass through the vicinity of each prize take-out position and the vicinity of the prize temporary storage section 28 directly under the cassettes 30a and 30b, and the circulation belt 42 A pair of pulleys 44, and a drive motor 46 that circulates and moves the circulation belt 42 by rotating the pulley 44 on the front side (left side in FIG. 8) of the pair of pulleys 44. . Note that the guide plate 48 is omitted in the transport mechanism 40a shown in FIG.

  The guide plate 48 is formed with a through groove extending in the longitudinal direction (left-right direction in FIG. 10). As shown in FIG. 8, FIG. 9, etc., this guide plate 48 is installed below the lower surface of each cassette 30a, 30b at a distance larger than the thickness of one prize P. For this reason, the prize P that is slid on the guide plate 48 by the pushing member 50 described later moves in the space between the upper surface of the guide plate 48 and the lower surfaces of the cassettes 30a and 30b.

  Two extruding member protrusion amount adjusters 52 are attached to the outer surface of the circulation belt 42, and an extruding member 50 is further attached to the top surface of the extruding member protrusion amount adjuster 52. The pushing member 50 can pass through the through groove of the guide plate 48 and protrude above the guide plate 48.

  Here, each pushing member protrusion amount adjuster 52 moves the pushing member 50 corresponding to the vertical direction. Specifically, each pushing member protrusion amount adjuster 52 has a protruding position (see the pushing member 50 on the upper side in FIG. 8) that protrudes upward so as to reach the prize P in the lowest layer in each cassette 30a, 30b. The pushing member 50 is advanced and retracted in the vertical direction between the retracted position (see the pushing member 50 on the lower side in FIG. 8) so as not to reach the prize P in the lowest layer. When the circulation belt 42a is circulated, the cassette 30a (or cassette 30b) to which the push-out member 50 is to be fed out of the prize P in a state where the push-out member protrusion amount adjuster 52 has moved the push-out member 50 to the protruding position. ), The push-out member 50 engages with the rear end of the lowermost prize P in the cassette and exits from the cassette through the prize feed port 38 (see FIG. 6) (front). ) And the picked-up prize P is transported to the prize temporary storage unit 28 while sliding on the guide plate 48. On the other hand, when the pushing member 50 passes below the cassette 30a (or the cassette 30b) that is not the target of the prize P, the pushing member 50 is moved in advance to the retracted position by the pushing member protrusion amount adjuster 52. The prize P is not taken out from the cassette by passing further below the prize P in the lowermost layer of the cassette.

  Next, a specific configuration of the pushing member protrusion amount adjuster 52 will be described with reference to FIG. FIG. 12 is an explanatory perspective view for explaining the configuration of the pushing member 50 and the pushing member protrusion amount adjuster 52 of the prize transport unit 40 shown in FIG.

  As shown in FIG. 12, the pushing member protrusion amount adjuster 52 includes a hollow main body 52d attached to the outer surface of the circulation belt 42, a solenoid 52c in which the tip moves forward and backward, and a tip of the solenoid 52c. And a plate-shaped guide member 52a having an L-shaped cross section attached to the section. The guide member 52a has a protruding portion 52b protruding upward. This protrusion 52b is formed at a position directly below each cassette 30a, 30b. Furthermore, an arm member 52e is provided inside the main body portion 52d so that a part of the main body portion 52d protrudes outward from the main body portion 52d and the protruding part can contact the guide member 52a. When a part of the arm member 52e is pressed upward by the guide member 52a, the arm member 52e moves upward. Further, the arm member 52e is connected to the lower end of an advance / retreat tool 52f extending in the vertical direction, and the push-out member 50 is attached to the upper end of the advance / retreat tool 52f. A compression spring (not shown) is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the advance / retreat tool 52f, and this compression spring is fixed inside the main body 52d. Thus, a downward force is always applied to the advancement / retraction tool 52f by the compression spring, and when the arm member 52e is not lifted upward, the advancement / retraction tool 52f is maintained at the lower position.

  Here, when the pushing member 50 passes below the cassette 30a (or cassette 30b) from which the prize P is fed, the solenoid 52c causes the tip of the pushing member protrusion amount adjuster 52 to move its tip upward in the vertical direction. Move. As a result, the arm member 52e is lifted upward by the protrusion 52b of the guide member 52a, and the advancement / retraction tool 52f moves upward against the compression force of the compression spring as the arm member 52e moves upward. It becomes. In this way, the pushing member 50 moves upward, and this pushing member 50 finally moves to the protruding position.

  On the other hand, when the pushing member 50 passes below the cassette 30a (or the cassette 30b) that is not the target for delivering the prize P, in the pushing member protrusion amount adjuster 52, the solenoid 52c positions its tip downward in the vertical direction. Will remain. As a result, the arm member 52e is not lifted upward by the protrusion 52b of the guide member 52a, and the pushing member 50 is not moved upward, so that the pushing member 50 is retracted by the compression force of the compression spring. Will be maintained.

  The number of extrusion members 50 in the transport mechanism 40a is not limited to two. For example, the number of extrusion members 50 in the transport mechanism 40a may be one, or three or more. There may be.

  Next, the arrangement of the cassettes 30a and 30b of the prize storage unit 30 and the prize temporary storage unit 28 will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG. 11, the storage and feeding unit including the premium storage unit 30 and the premium transport unit 40 (not shown in FIG. 11) is, for example, 7 along the width direction (left and right direction in FIG. 11) of the premium dispenser 1. Lanes (seven rows) are provided, and in each lane, two cassettes 30a and 30b are provided in series along the front-rear direction of the gift dispenser 1 (the vertical direction in FIG. 11). For this reason, a total of 14 cassettes will be provided. In this specification, as shown in FIG. 11, the lane 1, lane 2,..., Lane 7 are sequentially called from the leftmost lane of the gift dispenser 1 in the right direction.

  As described above, the prize temporary storage unit 28 is configured such that the prize P is directly sent from the prize storage unit 30 by the prize transport unit 40 (see FIG. 5 and the like). A prize presence / absence detecting sensor 72 for detecting whether or not a prize P exists on the prize temporary holding section 28 is attached to the prize temporary holding section 28. Further, as shown in FIGS. 1 to 4, a payout exit lamp 74 is attached to each lane on the front side of the housing 10 in the vicinity of the prize temporary storage unit 28. Each payout lamp 74 blinks in blue until the player opens the shutter mechanism 24 and picks up the prize P from the middle of feeding out the prize P in the corresponding lane, and an error occurs during delivery of the prize P When it does, it flashes in red.

Next, operation | movement of the prize dispenser 1 which consists of such a structure is demonstrated below.
First, before business of a game facility such as a pachinko parlor, for example, an employee takes out the cassettes 30a and 30b of the prize storage unit 30 from the housing 10 and stores the prizes P in a stacked state in these cassettes 30a and 30b. . Specifically, based on information input by the employee through the operation unit 14 of the prize dispenser 1, or based on setting information transmitted from a higher-level machine (not shown) such as a prize management device or a terminal controller, Assignment of the type of the prize P in the cassettes 30a and 30b of the prize storage unit 30 in each lane is set. The employee refers to the set information and, for example, a prize P (large prize) equivalent to 5000 yen with a red mark attached to each of the cassettes 30a and 30b in the first to third lanes. A prize P (middle prize) equivalent to 1000 yen with a blue mark attached to each of the cassettes 30a and 30b in the fourth and fifth lanes, to each cassette 30a and 30b in the sixth and seventh lanes. A prize P (small prize) equivalent to 200 yen with a yellow mark is stored. Here, the same type of prize P is stored in the cassette 30a on the front side and the cassette 30b on the rear side of the same lane, but different types of prize P are stored in the cassette 30a on the front side and the cassette 30b on the rear side. May be stored.

  Then, the employee sets the erroneous insertion preventing member 34 of each cassette 30a, 30b so as to match the type of the stored prize P, and at the place where each cassette 30a, 30b in the housing 10 is to be accommodated. The arranged protrusions are also set to match the type of the prize P. Thus, when the cassette 30a, 30b is accommodated in the housing 10 when the type of the prize P is mistakenly accommodated in the housing 10, the cassette 30a, 30b is normally accommodated in the housing 10. Unable to do so, employees can notice mistakes. In this manner, the employee can accurately store the cassettes 30a and 30b in which the prize P is stored in the housing 10.

  Next, during operation of a gaming facility such as a pachinko parlor, the player counts the acquired gaming media such as pachinko balls with a counter (not shown), and the player acquires a count receipt from the counter. Then, the player brings the count receipt to the prize exchange counter in which the prize dispenser 1 and the prize management device (not shown) connected to the prize dispenser 1 are connected. The employee waiting at the prize exchange counter receives the count receipt from the player and reads the data (the number of balls, etc.) recorded on the count receipt with a bar code reader of the prize management device. Although a counting receipt is used here, a counting card or a storage data card may be used instead of the counting receipt. When a player wishes to exchange game media for a prize P, when an employee presses a predetermined key of the prize management device, the data such as the number of balls recorded in the counting receipt is converted into the number of various prizes P. Then, the conversion result and the payout instruction for the prize P are transmitted from the prize management device to the prize dispenser 1. Specifically, for example, a payout command for paying out 8 large prizes, 3 middle prizes, and 4 small prizes is sent to the prize dispenser 1.

  When the prize dispenser 1 receives a withdrawal command from the prize management device, the control unit 20 sends a control command to each prize transport unit 40 based on the type and number of the prizes P in the withdrawal command. The prize P is paid out from the cassettes 30a and 30b. Specifically, the prize transport unit 40 in any one of the first to third lanes storing large prizes transports the prize P from each cassette 30a, 30b to the prize temporary storage unit 28, and In parallel, the prize transport units 40 in either one of the fourth and fifth lanes and the sixth and seventh lanes respectively storing the middle prize and the small prize are temporarily held from the cassettes 30a and 30b, respectively. The prize P is conveyed to the section 28. In the standby state, the shutter mechanism 24 is in a closed state.

Here, the transport of the prize P from each cassette 30a, 30b to the prize temporary storage section 28 by each prize transport section 40 will be described in more detail with reference to FIGS.
First, the case where the cassette from which the prize P is to be taken out is the front cassette 30a will be described. At this time, the drive motor 46 of the transport mechanism 40a circulates and moves the circulation belt 42. Here, the pushing member 50 attached to the circulation belt 42 via the pushing member protrusion amount adjuster 52 first passes below the cassette 30b on the rear side. At this time, the pushing member protrusion amount adjuster 52 The member 50 is moved downward to maintain the pushing member 50 in the retracted position. Thus, the pushing member 50 passing under the rear cassette 30b does not take out the prize P in the lowermost layer of the rear cassette 30b. Next, the pushing member 50 passes below the cassette 30a on the front side, but immediately before that, the pushing member protrusion amount adjuster 52 moves the pushing member 50 upward and maintains the pushing member 50 in the protruding position. Let As a result, the pushing member 50 passing under the cassette 30a on the front side is engaged with the rear end of the prize P at the lowermost layer in the cassette 30a, and the prize feed port 38 (see FIG. 6) from the cassette 30a. Extrude outside (forward) through Then, the push-out member 50 conveys the picked up prize P to the prize temporary storage unit 28 while sliding on the guide plate 48.

  Next, a case where the cassette from which the prize P is taken out is the rear cassette 30b will be described. Also in this case, the drive motor 46 of the transport mechanism 40a circulates and moves the circulation belt 42. Here, the pushing member 50 attached to the circulation belt 42 via the pushing member protrusion amount adjuster 52 first passes below the cassette 30b on the rear side. At this time, the pushing member protrusion amount adjuster 52 The pushing member 50 is moved upward, and the pushing member 50 is maintained at the protruding position. As a result, the pushing member 50 passing under the cassette 30b on the rear side engages with the rear end of the prize P at the lowermost layer in the cassette 30b and is removed from the inside of the cassette 30b via the prize outlet 38 ( Push forward). Thereafter, the pushing member 50 conveys the extracted prize P while sliding on the guide plate 48. Next, the pushing member 50 passes below the cassette 30a on the front side. Just before that, the pushing member protrusion amount adjuster 52 moves the pushing member 50 downward to keep the pushing member 50 in the retracted position. Let Thus, the pushing member 50 passing under the front cassette 30a does not take out the prize P in the lowermost layer of the front cassette 30a. The prize P taken out from the cassette 30b on the rear side is transported between the upper surface of the guide plate 48 and the lower surface of the cassette 30a. In this way, the pushing member 50 finally transports the prize P to the prize temporary storage section 28 while sliding the prize P on the guide plate 48.

  When all types and the number of prizes P in the payout command transmitted from the prize management device are sent from the prize storage unit 30 to the prize temporary storage section 28, the control section 20 controls the shutter mechanism 24 to control the shutter mechanism. Open 24.

  When the player removes all the prizes P placed on the prize temporary storage unit 28, this is detected by the prize presence / absence detection sensor 72 (see FIG. 3), and the control unit 20 controls the shutter mechanism 24 to detect the shutter. The mechanism 24 is closed. Here, if the prize P is not picked up by the player even after a predetermined time has elapsed since the shutter mechanism 24 is opened, the prize dispenser 1 or This is notified to the player or employee by issuing an alarm sound in the prize management device. Each payout lamp 74 blinks in blue until the player opens the shutter mechanism 24 and picks up the prize P during the delivery of the prize P in the corresponding lane, and an error occurs during the delivery of the prize P. Flashes in red when occurs.

  As described above, according to the prize dispenser 1 of the present embodiment, in the prize storage unit 30, a plurality of cassettes 30a and 30b are arranged in series in the front-rear direction, and the transport mechanism 40a of the prize transport unit 40 is The prize P in the lowermost layer in each cassette 30a, 30b of the prize storage unit 30 is conveyed to the prize temporary storage unit 28, and this conveyance mechanism 40a is arranged in the lowest layer in each cassette 30a, 30b. It has an extruding member 50 that is movable in the vertical direction between a protruding position that protrudes upward so as to reach a certain prize P and a retracted position that does not reach the lowermost prize P. . As a result, the number of stored prizes P is increased without the width of the prize dispenser 1 being too large compared to a prize dispenser in which a plurality of lanes are arranged in a row so that the cassettes are continuous in the width direction. Can be made. Moreover, since the prize P can be taken out from the cassettes 30a and 30b only by moving the pushing member 50 in the transport mechanism 40a in the vertical direction, the cassettes 30a and 30b and the transport mechanism 40a can be moved without moving any of the cassettes 30a and 30b. The prize P can be paid out while switching 30b, so that the stability of each component can be improved and the cost can be reduced.

Note that the gift dispenser according to the present invention is not limited to the above-described embodiment, and various modifications can be made.
Next, another embodiment of the gift dispenser according to the present invention will be described with reference to FIGS. FIG. 13 to FIG. 15 are explanatory perspective views for explaining the configuration of the push-out member and push-out member protrusion amount adjuster of the prize transport unit of the prize dispenser according to another embodiment.
13 to 15, the same parts as those in the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 12 are denoted by the same reference numerals, and detailed description thereof is omitted.

  The prize dispenser according to another embodiment as shown in FIG. 13 to FIG. 15 is different from the prize dispenser shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. The other components are substantially the same as the prize dispenser shown in FIGS.

  The extruding member protrusion amount adjuster 54 of the prize transport unit shown in FIG. 13 includes a main body part 54e attached to the outer surface of the circulation belt 42, a solenoid 54c whose tip part moves back and forth in the horizontal direction, and a tip part of the solenoid 54c. And a guide member 54a attached to the head. The guide member 54a has a protrusion 54b that protrudes toward the main body 54e. This protrusion 54b is formed at a position directly below each cassette 30a, 30b. The main body part 54e is formed of a substantially rectangular parallelepiped part of which is cut off, and the lower surface of the cut part is an inclined surface. Further, the main body portion 54e is provided with a fitting member 54d that fits into the cut-out portion of the main body portion 54e and a part of which can contact the guide member 54a. The fitting member 54d moves upward in the vertical direction when its side surface is pressed toward the main body 54e by the guide member 54a. Further, a guide member 54f is installed on the opposite side of the main body 54e to the solenoid 54c to prevent the main body 54e from tilting or shifting in the width direction by contacting the side surface of the main body 54e. Yes. Further, an advance / retreat tool 54g extending in the vertical direction passes through the main body 54e, and the push-out member 50 is attached to the upper end of the advance / retreat tool 54g. The lower end portion of the advance / retreat tool 54g can contact the upper surface of the fitting member 54d. A compression spring (not shown) is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the advance / retreat tool 54g, and this compression spring is fixed inside the main body portion 54e. As a result, a downward force is always applied to the advancement / retraction tool 54g by the compression spring, and the advancement / retraction tool 54g is maintained at the lower position when the fitting member 54d is not lifted upward.

  Here, when the pushing member 50 passes below the cassette 30a (or cassette 30b) to which the prize P is fed, the solenoid 54c causes the tip of the pushing member protrusion amount adjuster 54 to move forward in the horizontal direction ( To the main body 54e side). As a result, the fitting member 54d is pressed toward the main body 54e by the protruding portion 54b of the guide member 54a, and the fitting member 54d is fitted into the main body 54e, whereby the cut-off portion of the main body 54e is removed. The fitting member 54d moves upward by the action of the slope on the lower surface. As the fitting member 54d moves upward, the lower end portion of the advancement / retraction tool 54g contacts the upper surface of the fitting member 54d, and the advancement / retraction tool 54g also moves upward against the compression force of the compression spring. It becomes. In this way, the pushing member 50 moves upward, and the pushing member 50 moves to the protruding position.

  On the other hand, when the pushing member 50 passes below the cassette 30a (or the cassette 30b) that is not the target for delivering the prize P, in the pushing member protrusion amount adjuster 54, the solenoid 54c causes its tip portion to move backward in the horizontal direction (main body portion). 54e). As a result, the fitting member 54d is not pressed against the main body 54e side by the protrusion 54b of the guide member 54a, and the pushing member 50 is not moved upward. The retracted position is maintained by the compression force.

  Next, still another extrusion member protrusion amount adjuster 56 as shown in FIG. 14 will be described. 14 includes a hollow main body portion 56d attached to the outer surface of the circulation belt 42, and a solenoid 56a whose front end portion moves back and forth in the vertical direction. Yes. In addition, a cam 56c that rotates about an axis extending in the horizontal direction is provided inside the main body 56d, and the uppermost position of the cam 56c changes when rotating about the axis. ing. The shaft of the cam 56c is bent in an L shape, and the tip 56b extends downward. The tip 56b can come into contact with the tip of the solenoid 56a. When the tip 56b of the cam 56c comes into contact with the tip of the solenoid 56a and is pushed, the cam 56c rotates. Yes. Further, an advancement / retraction tool 56e extending in the vertical direction passes through the main body portion 56d, and an extrusion member 50 is attached to an upper end of the advancement / retraction tool 56e. The lower end portion of the advance / retreat tool 56e is in contact with the upper surface of the cam 56c. A compression spring (not shown) is attached to the outer peripheral surface of the advance / retreat tool 56e, and this compression spring is fixed inside the main body portion 56d. Accordingly, a downward force is always applied to the advance / retreat tool 56e by the compression spring, and the lower end portion of the advance / retreat tool 56e is always in contact with the upper surface of the cam 56c.

  Here, when the pushing member 50 passes below the cassette 30a (or cassette 30b) from which the prize P is paid out, in the pushing member protrusion amount adjuster 56, the solenoid 56a moves its tip upward in the vertical direction. Move. As a result, the distal end portion 56b of the cam 56c contacts and is pressed against the distal end portion of the solenoid 56a, and the cam 56c is rotated about the horizontal axis. As the cam 56c rotates, the uppermost position thereof rises. For this reason, the advance / retreat tool 56e that contacts the uppermost position of the cam 56c also moves upward against the compression force of the compression spring. In this way, the pushing member 50 moves upward, and the pushing member 50 moves to the protruding position.

  On the other hand, when the pushing member 50 passes below the cassette 30a (or cassette 30b) that is not the target of the prize P, in the pushing member protrusion amount adjuster 56, the solenoid 56a positions its tip downward in the vertical direction. Will remain. As a result, the distal end portion 56b of the cam 56c does not contact the distal end portion of the solenoid 56a, and the cam 56c is not rotated, so that the push-out member 50 does not move upward. 50 is maintained in the retracted position by the compression force of the compression spring.

  Next, still another extrusion member protrusion amount adjuster 58 as shown in FIG. 15 will be described. 15 includes a main body 58c attached to the outer surface of the circulation belt 42, a solenoid 58a whose tip moves forward and backward in the vertical direction, and a tip of the solenoid 58a. And a guide member 58b attached to the head. The guide member 58b is formed with a guide groove for guiding an arm member 58d described later. The main body portion 58c is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped part of which is cut off, and the remaining portion has a concave cross section. Further, a disc member 58e that rotates about a horizontal axis is provided at the cut-out portion of the main body 58c. The shaft of the disk member 58e protrudes outward from the main body portion 58c, and the protruding portion is bent into an L shape, and the tip 58d extends toward the guide member 58b. As shown in FIG. 15, the tip 58d is fitted in the guide groove of the guide member 58b. Further, the pushing member 50 is directly attached to the side peripheral surface of the disk member 58e.

  Here, when the pushing member 50 passes below the cassette 30a (or cassette 30b) from which the prize P is fed, in the pushing member protrusion amount adjuster 58, the solenoid 58a moves its tip downward in the vertical direction. Move. As a result, the guide member 58b moves downward, and the tip 58d of the disk member 58e guided by the guide groove of the guide member 58b also moves downward. As a result, the disk member 58e rotates about the horizontal axis, and the height level of the pushing member 50 increases. In this way, the pushing member 50 moves upward, and the pushing member 50 moves to the protruding position.

  On the other hand, when the pushing member 50 passes below the cassette 30a (or the cassette 30b) that is not the target for delivering the prize P, in the pushing member protrusion amount adjuster 58, the solenoid 58a moves the tip thereof upward in the vertical direction. . As a result, the guide member 58b moves upward, and the tip 58d of the disk member 58e guided by the guide groove of the guide member 58b also moves upward. As a result, the pushing member 50 is lowered to a low position, and the pushing member 50 is maintained at the retracted position.

  Still another embodiment of the gift dispenser according to the present invention will be described below. The prize dispenser 1 shown in FIG. 1 to FIG. 15 dispenses the prize P to the player side, but the prize dispenser according to the present invention is not limited to such an example, and the prize P is an employee. You may become the structure which pays out to the side. Specifically, for example, for the prize dispenser 1 as shown in FIG. 5, the positions of the operation unit 14 and the store side display unit 16 and the position of the customer side display unit 18 are exchanged, and the main body door 12 is attached. By changing the direction, a prize dispenser that dispenses the prize P to the employee side is configured.

  Further, the number of cassettes installed in one lane in the prize dispenser is not limited to two, and three or more cassettes may be installed in one lane.

It is a perspective view of the prize dispenser in one embodiment of the present invention. It is a perspective view which shows an internal structure when the main body door is opened about the prize dispenser shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows a state when the shutter mechanism is opened about the prize dispenser shown in FIG. It is a perspective view which shows the state when the maintenance door is opened in an emergency in the prize dispenser shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the state of the prize delivery machine shown in FIG. 1, the cassette accommodated in the housing | casing, and a prize conveyance part. It is a perspective view which shows the structure of each cassette in the prize dispenser shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the detail of a structure of the prize accommodated in the prize dispenser shown in FIG. It is explanatory drawing which shows the outline of a structure of the prize conveyance part in the prize dispenser shown in FIG. It is the front view for description which looked at the prize conveyance part shown in FIG. 8 from the left (apparatus front). FIG. 9 is an explanatory top view of the premium transport unit shown in FIG. 8 as viewed from above. It is explanatory drawing which shows arrangement | positioning of each cassette of a prize storage unit and a prize temporary storage part about the prize dispenser shown in FIG. FIG. 9 is an explanatory perspective view for explaining a configuration of an extruding member and an extruding member protrusion amount adjuster of the prize transport unit shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 9 is an explanatory perspective view for explaining another configuration of the extruding member and the extruding member protrusion amount adjuster of the prize transport unit shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 9 is an explanatory perspective view for explaining still another configuration of the extruding member and the extruding member protrusion amount adjuster of the prize transport unit shown in FIG. 8. FIG. 9 is an explanatory perspective view for explaining still another configuration of the extruding member and the extruding member protrusion amount adjuster of the prize transport unit shown in FIG. 8.

Explanation of symbols

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Prize dispenser 10 Housing | casing 12 Main body door 14 Operation part 16 Shop side display part 18 Customer side display part 20 Control part 22 Power supply part 24 Shutter mechanism 24a Upper shutter part 24b Lower shutter part 26 Maintenance door 28 Prize temporary storage part 30 Premium storage unit 30a, 30b Cassette 30p Side wall 30q Front wall (lid)
32 Handle 34 Misinsertion prevention member 36 Bottom member 38 Premium feed port 40 Premium transport unit 40a Transport mechanism 42 Circulating belt 44 Pulley 46 Drive motor 48 Guide plate 50 Extrusion member 52, 54, 56, 58 Extrusion member protrusion amount adjuster 72 Premium Presence / absence detection sensor 74 Discharge outlet lamp P Premium I Non-contact IC tag

Claims (3)

A plurality of storage units that store a plurality of prizes in a stacked state and from which the lowest prize can be taken out are arranged in series in the front-rear direction, and the height level of the lowest prize in each cassette Storage units that are substantially identical,
A prize temporary storage unit for temporarily storing a prize taken out from each cassette of the storage unit;
A prize transport unit that is provided below the storage unit and includes a transport mechanism that transports a prize at the lowest level in each cassette of the storage unit to the premium temporary storage unit. A guide plate installed so as to extend from each prize take-out position located directly below to the prize temporary storage section, and a projecting position projecting upward to reach the prize in the lowest layer in each cassette, and in the lowest layer. An extruding member that is movable in the vertical direction between the retracted position that does not reach the prize and is movable in the extending direction of the guide plate, and the extruding member is in the protruding position Sometimes, taking out the prize in the lowermost layer of one of the cassettes and sliding the removed prize on the guide plate A prize conveying portion as having a pusher member so as to convey to the escrow unit goods,
Equipped with a,
The transport mechanism of the prize transport unit is an endless circulation belt that circulates so as to pass through the vicinity of each prize take-out position directly below each cassette and the vicinity of the prize temporary storage part below the guide plate. And an extrusion member protrusion amount adjuster that is disposed on the outer surface of the circulation belt and has the extrusion member attached to the tip thereof, and that changes the protrusion amount of the extrusion member with respect to the circulation belt, A member protrusion amount adjuster is configured to move the pushing member forward and backward between the protruding position and the retracted position;
The extruding member and the extruding member protrusion amount adjuster are configured to integrally circulate by the circulation movement of the circulation belt, and a plurality of cassettes are formed by a set of the extruding member and the extruding member protrusion amount adjuster. A prize dispenser characterized in that a prize can be taken out from the container and transported . The pushing member protrusion amount adjuster of the transport mechanism includes a hollow body attached to the outer surface of the circulation belt or a main body portion with a part thereof cut off, and a solenoid in which a tip portion moves forward and backward in a vertical direction or a horizontal direction. A guide member attached to the tip of the solenoid, and a part of the guide member that is provided inside or cut away from the main body so that the guide member is pressed against the guide member to move the push-out member in the vertical direction. The prize dispenser according to claim 1 , further comprising an advancing and retracting member. The pushing member protrusion amount adjuster of the transport mechanism includes a hollow body attached to the outer surface of the circulation belt or a main body portion with a part thereof cut off, and a solenoid in which a tip portion moves forward and backward in a vertical direction or a horizontal direction. A guide member having a guide groove provided at a tip portion of the solenoid, and a part of the guide member provided by the guide groove of the guide member provided in the inside of the main body portion or cut away. The prize dispenser according to claim 1 , further comprising an advancing / retreating member that is moved in a vertical direction.

Images